DOT&PF Awarded Grant Funding for Rural Drones, Seward Highway Avalanche Mitigation

The SOAR Initiative builds upon Phase 1 of the ARROW (Alaska Rural Remote Operations Work Plan) program, integrating cutting-edge technologies such as Beyond Visual Line of Sight unmanned aircraft systems (UAS), drone-in-a-box solutions, advanced communications infrastructure, and real-time data management.

Key objectives of SOAR include:

• Enhanced Transportation Safety: Utilizing UAS to monitor and respond to environmental and infrastructure challenges in real time, reducing risks to human workers and increasing efficiency.
• Improved Resiliency: Deploying advanced remote sensing and autonomous technologies to ensure transportation reliability, even in extreme weather conditions.
• Economic Growth: Creating job opportunities in rural and underserved communities through workforce development programs and partnerships with local organizations.
• Climate Sustainability: Reducing carbon emissions by integrating renewable energy sources, such as solar-powered drone docks and energy storage systems, into transportation operations.

DOT&PF’s UAS Program Coordinator Ryan Marlow says the US-made Skydio X10 drones in Phase 1 were used for various purposes, from assisting with search and rescue missions to capturing real-time conditions in emergencies. In a video posted about the drones’ use, residents in several communities shared how they were used.

Henry Combs, who works for the Association of Village Council Presidents (AVCP), was the first to test the state-owned Skydio X10 last year. In the video, Combs says he used the drone when Bethel experienced historic flooding on May 9, 2024. Combs relates how he had to drive through two feet of water in his pickup truck during the event, but he was able to use Starlink to fly the drone and show state authorities the extent of the flooding in real time, which opened the door to faster funding to help the community deal with the onslaught of water.

Marlow says that’s a stark difference from the delays in understanding the extent of damage that occurred in September 2022 when Typhoon Merbok generated a storm surge that affected several coastal communities. It took days and, in some cases, weeks for information to come in.

“We had all these communities we couldn’t respond to because we didn’t know the conditions,” Marlow says.

Following that event, Marlow says the state sought a new path. Having the technology is one thing, but how can it be used where the state doesn’t have trained employees? The SOAR program allows the state to deploy drones in docking stations, and community partners can be trained to use the technology. Locals can develop their own uses as well, whether it be counting fish or studying an archaeological site.

“We’re empowering communities to take ownership,” Marlow says. At the same time, the state is providing training so drones can be used safely.

Bryan Jones Jr. works as an International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers apprentice with Alcan Electric as a drone operator. In the DOT&PF video, he says he used a drone when Quinhagak lost power for six days to fly along the electrical lines to isolate the problem.

Eric Evon, the tribal transportation program manager for AVCP and a member of Bethel Search and Rescue, says the search-and-rescue capabilities of the drones make them an essential tool.

“The imagery can detect body temperatures. Sometimes people will pass by somebody and they don’t find them until next winter and they say, ‘Wow, I just passed this trail, how did I not see them?’ But if that person is still alive and they still have body heat, these drones can detect those folks. So I think the best benefit for this region out here would be for search and rescue crews. They need this tech; they need this tech, like now,” Evon says.

Funded through the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act of 2021 as part of the Strengthening Mobility and Revolutionizing Transportation (SMART) program, the grant emphasizes purpose-driven innovation, data-driven decision-making, and scalable solutions to improve transportation efficiency and safety.

Mitigating Measures

Meanwhile on the Seward Highway, a $1.13 million SMART grant will give travelers a little peace of mind as they move along the corridor, bounded by mountains and ocean.

The Avalanche Mitigation Alert Detection (AMAD) project, led by DOT&PF, will use cutting-edge remote avalanche control systems and forecasting technology to mitigate avalanche risks along the Seward Highway corridor. The project will place intelligent sensors between Anchorage and the Portage valley to monitor snowpack stability, weather conditions, and avalanche risk in real time. The remote system will allow for controlled releases of unstable snow, and the forecasting technology will provide state-of-the-art data analysis to support proactive decision-making and enhance traveler safety.

“Ensuring the safety of our roads is a top priority,” says Governor Mike Dunleavy. “The project is a step forward in protecting lives and maintaining reliable transportation on one of our most crucial corridors.”

The Seward Highway is one of Alaska’s busiest roadways, yet avalanches pose a serious threat. The AMAD project’s advanced technology will enhance DOT&PF’s ability to predict and manage avalanches and significantly reduce the risks to maintenance crews and the traveling public.

Once avalanche conditions are detected, DOT&PF can use its 2024-tested Drone Avalanche Reduction Technology equipment—drones carrying explosives that can be strategically released—to trigger a controlled avalanche. The department formerly used 150mm howitzers to trigger the avalanches, but the US military is pulling away support for the artillery, so drones are a more favorable option. In partnership with the Alaska Railroad Corporation, DOT&PF tested that technology last year, the first state agency in North America to use drones for avalanche mitigation.

“This grant allows us to leverage advanced technology to address one of the most pressing safety issues we face on Alaska’s highways,” says Anderson. “By deploying these systems along avalanche prone areas above the highway, we’re improving safety and reliability for all who depend on the Seward Highway, while demonstrating Alaska’s leadership in transportation innovation.”